Strategic stability in China-US ties hinges on Taiwan caution, with trade and wider cooperation also under discussion.
China and the United States reached a political understanding described as a new vision for constructive bilateral ties centred on strategic stability, cooperation, manageable competition and peaceful handling of differences. The Taiwan question was identified as the most sensitive issue in China-US relations, with cross-Strait peace and stability described as central to stable bilateral ties and support for Taiwan independence said to be incompatible with that objective. Trade and broader cooperation were also discussed, including economic, health, agriculture, tourism and law enforcement engagement.

Trade frictions and energy security dominate US-China talks amid tariff disputes, export controls and rare earth supply chain concerns.
US and Chinese leaders held high-level talks on trade frictions, tariffs, export controls, advanced technology, rare earth supply chains, Taiwan and wider geopolitical tensions linked to the Iran war and Strait of Hormuz disruptions. The meeting was aimed at stabilising relations through direct dialogue and addressing economic and security differences, while both sides emphasised partnership, mutual prosperity and the need to avoid escalation. Plans for a trade board and continued negotiations on tariffs were also noted.

AI-powered customer experience drives recognition for a digital banking partnership in Malaysia's fast-growing financial services market.
Partnership between Ant Digital Technologies and Ryt Bank received recognition in Malaysia for an AI-powered customer experience and engagement initiative in digital banking. The collaboration was noted for deploying enterprise-grade AI to deliver personalised, scalable and real-time financial services across digital channels, with an emphasis on conversational customer interactions, improved service responsiveness and enhanced customer engagement. The report also notes Ryt Bank's status as a licensed Malaysian digital bank and its use of AI-enabled banking functions such as transfers, bill payments, card usage, PayLater services and an AI assistant.

Creator economy formalisation is accelerating as GST registration, AI adoption, and disclosure compliance reshape influencer marketing.
India's creator economy is described as moving into a formalised industry shaped by standardised processes, infrastructure-led growth, and regulatory governance. GST registration is presented as a baseline for institutional brand partnerships, while regional expansion, brand accountability, AI adoption, and compliance requirements are identified as the main forces reshaping influencer marketing. ASCI disclosures, SEBI scrutiny, and DPDP compliance are framed as structural filters for durable participation in the sector.

Sugar export prohibition tightened to protect domestic supply, with limited exceptions for quota-linked and approved shipments.
Sugar exports are placed under a prohibited regime with immediate effect until 30 September 2026, by amendment of the export policy from restricted to prohibited. The measure is stated to support domestic availability and contain prices, following earlier licence-based control of exports. The prohibition does not apply to exports to the European Union and the United States under the CXL and Tariff Rate Quota arrangements, or to shipments under the advance authorisation scheme, government-to-government exports, and consignments already in the physical export pipeline.

Semi high-speed rail connectivity gets a boost as the Ahmedabad-Dholera project aims to improve mobility and logistics efficiency.
Cabinet approval has been granted for the Ahmedabad (Sarkhej)-Dholera Semi High-Speed Double Line project in Gujarat, covering Ahmedabad district and adding about 134 km to the Indian Railways network. The project, with an estimated cost of Rs. 20,667 crore, is planned for completion by 2030-31 and is described as Indian Railways' first semi high-speed project using indigenously developed technology. It is intended to improve direct connectivity, reduce travel time and enhance mobility, service reliability and logistics efficiency.

Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement talks advance as India and Chile deepen trade, investment and business cooperation.
Bilateral economic and commercial cooperation between India and Chile was advanced through high-level ministerial and official engagements focused on deepening trade, investment and institutional ties. The discussions reaffirmed the shared commitment of both sides to expand bilateral business engagement and to work towards the early conclusion of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement as a framework for unlocking the relationship's economic potential. The talks also covered trade facilitation, market access, investment promotion and stronger economic institutional engagement.

Logistics excellence recognition drives innovation, multimodality and sustainability across supply chains under a structured national awards framework.
Recognition was conferred on logistics organisations across core logistics, MSMEs, startups, institutions and special categories for operational excellence, innovation, sustainability, multimodality and technology adoption in supply chain and logistics services. The LEAPS 2025 initiative was described as a flagship national platform aligned with PM GatiShakti and the National Logistics Policy to acknowledge leadership in logistics performance and best practices. The evaluation process for LEAPS 2025 was stated to have been conducted through a structured and transparent mechanism involving online applications, expert committee scrutiny and award committee review.

VAT on industrial piped natural gas draws MSME demand for rate cut and GST inclusion to ease costs
Micro, small and medium enterprises in Madhya Pradesh sought a reduction in the VAT on piped natural gas used for industrial purposes, saying high fuel prices and the absence of GST input tax credit are raising production costs and hurting competitiveness. They urged either a lower VAT rate or inclusion of PNG within the GST ambit. Industry and business groups also demanded simplification of the GST return filing process.

Fuel price pass-through concerns grow as West Asia crisis disrupts oil supplies and pressures India's import-dependent economy.
Energy price pressures from the West Asia conflict and Strait of Hormuz disruption are affecting India's import-dependent economy. The Reserve Bank Governor noted that sustained disruption may require the government to pass on higher fuel costs to retail prices, even though petrol and diesel prices have so far not been raised.

Rupee weakness against the dollar deepens as crude prices, geopolitical tensions and strong demand pressure the currency
Rupee weakness against the US dollar reflected pressure from elevated crude oil prices, West Asia geopolitical tensions and a strong dollar, with the currency touching a record low before closing near its all-time closing low. Traders noted that possible RBI intervention and reduced gold import demand following higher import tariffs could moderate further depreciation, but the near-term direction remained linked primarily to crude prices and geopolitical developments. Gold and silver import duties were raised to curb overseas purchases and ease pressure on foreign exchange reserves.

Export policy expansion through free trade agreements aims to boost market access and wider FTA utilisation.
India's export policy focus is on scaling goods and services exports through a higher annual target, supported by record export levels and continued market diversification. A central instrument of this strategy is the use of free trade agreements and related preferential trade arrangements, alongside efforts to improve FTA utilisation by increasing awareness among industry participants, especially small and micro units, so that the benefits of these agreements are more widely accessed across the export ecosystem.

Money laundering summons challenge arises in a land deal case after cognisance on the ED charge sheet.
Robert Vadra moved the Delhi High Court against a trial court order issuing summons to him in a money laundering case linked to a land transaction in Gurugram's Shikohpur area. The trial court had taken cognisance of the Enforcement Directorate's charge sheet and directed Vadra and other accused persons to appear, noting prima facie material to proceed further under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

Export expansion target drives focus on raising goods and services exports to a higher annual benchmark.
India's export policy focus was framed around scaling goods and services exports to a USD 1 trillion target for the current fiscal year. The benchmark was the previous year's record export performance of USD 863 billion, with the additional growth requirement described as about 16-17 per cent.

Investor awareness through public broadcasting expands financial literacy, safe investing, and unclaimed dividend claim guidance nationwide.
Investor awareness initiatives are being expanded through a Memorandum of Understanding between the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority and Prasar Bharati for dissemination of scroll messages on Doordarshan. The collaboration is intended to promote financial literacy, investor protection, safe investing practices, and awareness of the process for reclaiming unclaimed dividends and shares. It also encourages use of the Search Facility, filing of claims through Form IEPF-5, and fraud prevention awareness.

Easy EMI financing and RBI-registered NBFC lending support budget smartphone purchases through partner stores.
Easy EMI financing is offered for purchase of the Redmi Note 15 SE through Bajaj Finserv partner stores, with repayment tenures from 3 to 60 months, zero down payment on select models, instant approval at checkout, and same-day delivery after OTP-based eligibility verification. Bajaj Finance Limited is described as a deposit-taking NBFC-D registered with the Reserve Bank of India and classified as an NBFC-Investment and Credit Company, engaged in lending and acceptance of deposits.

Import duty on gold raised to curb non-essential imports, conserve foreign exchange, and support the rupee.
Import duty on gold has been more than doubled to 15 per cent from 6 per cent to discourage non-essential imports, conserve foreign exchange for essential imports such as crude oil and fertiliser, and support the rupee. The increase is intended to curb domestic consumption of gold in the context of a high import bill and elevated international prices. Higher duty has historically reduced import volumes, though the overall import bill may remain elevated because of global price conditions.

Coal gasification incentive scheme boosts domestic syngas production, import substitution, and long-term project policy certainty.
A Union Cabinet-approved incentive scheme promotes surface coal and lignite gasification projects with a financial outlay of Rs 37,500 crore to accelerate coal gasification, support clean energy production, and reduce dependence on imports of LNG, urea, ammonia, methanol and other substitutable products. The scheme provides financial incentive of up to 20 per cent of plant and machinery cost, to be disbursed in four equal instalments linked to project milestones, with caps for a single project, product and entity group.

Gold import duty hike may curb jewellery volumes while boosting recycling and domestic circulation of idle gold.
Higher import duty on gold and silver is expected to affect jewellery volumes in the short term while encouraging recycling, exchange of old gold, and circulation of idle domestic gold. The increase is aimed at conserving foreign exchange reserves, reducing dependence on imported gold, and supporting a circular domestic gold economy. Consumer demand is still expected to remain resilient because gold retains strong cultural, wedding-related, savings, and investment significance in India, even as buyers shift toward lighter-weight jewellery and exchange-based purchases.

Import duty on precious metals drives up local prices and may temporarily dampen physical demand.
Import duty on precious metals was increased to 15 per cent, with platinum duty raised to 15.4 per cent and consequential changes made for gold and silver related goods. The revision was intended to discourage purchases and reduce non-essential imports amid rising foreign-exchange outflows and a widening import bill. The higher levy was expected to feed into purchase bills, raise local prices and temporarily dampen physical demand.